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Duroc pigs rank high among the best breeds for farming. They are mostly famous for their rapid growth and their well-marbled meat that will most certainly have a place in the market. You can't go wrong with this breed that consistently produces quality meat.

I would advise a new farmer to consider raising dual-purpose birds after trying their hand on either the broilers or layers. They need to decide on the number of birds to start with based on the available space.

Which is cost-effective; to buy ready feed or make them at home? I understand that many factors play a part, but my main concern would be their palatability on voluntary feed intake.

How often do you exercise? Regularly doing so can improve sleep quality. However, avoid doing this immediately before bedtime, as it can have a stimulant effect on the body. Try to wake up at the same time each day to train the body to be consistent.

Though many people experience heartburn and acid reflux, most of them choose commercial medications. However, lifestyle modifications can be equally effective. Do you often drink carbonated beverages or water? As much you haven't changed anything, carefully assess what makes up your current diet.

During harvest, I chop down the stalks to 12 or 18 inches so that the shortened stalks can collect snowfall and cut down on soil erosion. Doing this also keeps the corn residue in place, resulting in a quicker breakdown into the soil.

Popular thinking has it that farming cannot be enormously profitable, which is a huge misconception. The profit made will depend on the location, skills, efficiency, soil, and markets, among several other factors. Do you always include your labor as an expense?

You are right! Integrity is useful here because not every person who claims to be an organic farmer does what is right all the time. I think that before anyone thinks of following this path, they should be ready to follow all required standards of production.

More and more farmers are choosing the organic route. Notably, conventional grocery stores are selling more organics than ever before. I think that an organic farmer will need the usual skills we all strive to have, but most of all, it is said that organic integrity is vital. How would you...

I have never fancied buying in bulk, but if it gets to a point where there is short supply, then it will cease being a part of our meals. Is there a sector that hasn't experienced the effects of the coronavirus outbreak? How soon before we break the cycle?

Which insects affect corn? I know of the corn earworm whose moths lay eggs on corn plants in early summer. Its larvae first feed on the silk then the kernels, which can expose it to fungal invasion. Farmers are often encouraged to select varieties with tightly closed husks to discourage this pest.

Interestingly, when next to human dwellings, mice can live up to 4 years, whereas when far from humans, they can live for about a year. Like @Wildlife says, the best way to get rid of them is by using their biological enemies - the cats. Over time, I have found the electrical, mechanical, live...

We're almost there, and just as you say, saving up some space for summer plants has been on our minds. Do you usually embark on soil testing after winter? Remember that the soil undergoes pH changes, and it is never all about where and what you planted the previous year.

I am so wary of poison ivy that I can almost sense its presence in a place. How easy is it to make the distinction between poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac? It is advisable to wear protective clothing (like vinyl gloves) or to tuck long pants into socks, among other things. Some...

And the best time to find and block these entry points is during the fall season when these rodents are seeking to get in from the cold. The seeds and ground grains found in most bird-food mixtures attract mice, so you may want to keep the bird feeders as far away from the house as possible.

What an informative thread; I even had no idea that field corn could hurt the teeth. It is much more convenient to go for table corn because there is so much involved in making the field corn edible.

I have only recently started paying attention to this mode of farming that could define agriculture in the future. A farmer can be able to grow indoors year-round by controlling water, temperature, light, and possibly carbon dioxide levels as well. Do you hold the same views?

Any established farmer will tell you how necessary it is to treat tools as an investment. Taking your time in acquiring tools and equipment is advisable, and this also means getting the best quality possible. A tractor or farm utility vehicle, manure spreader, composter, and a pickup truck...

How old is your child? I believe that it is alright for her to explore and be enthusiastic about these animals. After a while, she will be better at observing how you treat them. Most of the time, they learn more through observation.

Corn is an obvious choice for most people, with a third of America's corn crop used to feed cattle, poultry, and so forth. The oat plant serves as food besides being a cover crop. It prevents erosion, increases the soil's nitrogen content, and suppresses weeds.